Rugstorp: Cultural History and Farm Experiences

Rugstorp combines local cultural history with farm experiences and a bathing spot at Lake Stensjön. If you want to get to know the area through specific themes during your stay, the neighbouring villages of Rugstorp and Abbetorp, their historical connections and Rugstorps Lantgård offer various points of interest. If you’re looking for a hotel in Rugstorp, you can use these themes as a starting point for planning your trip.

Villages and Cultural History

Rugstorp and Abbetorp are two neighbouring villages at a road junction between Bäckebo and Ålem in the northeastern part of Nybro Municipality. Together, they form the cultural heritage area “Rugstorp Abbetorp cultural heritage area”. The name refers to a cultural context encompassing both villages. Some connections relate to the Rugstorp-Abbetorp area, while others are associated with individual roads or a junction.

The Vargstenen memorial stone stands on the road between Rugstorp and Ålem and commemorates the last wolf hunt in Småland in 1868. Rugstorps Sten is a legendary boulder at the Rugstorp road junction; it was once a meeting place and gathering spot. The two places represent different aspects of local tradition: Vargstenen preserves the memory of a specific event, while Rugstorps Sten is chiefly associated with its former role in community life.

The area is also connected to art history. The woodcarver known as “Rugstorparn” came from the Rugstorp-Abbetorp area and worked there. An exhibition titled “Rugstorparn” about wood sculptor Helge Rugland was located at Rugstorps Lantgård in Rugstorp. Thus, this local theme encompasses both a woodcarver’s work in the area and a named exhibition venue at the farm.

Farm Experiences in Rugstorp

At Rugstorps Lantgård, “Taste the Farm at Rugstorps Farm” is a guided farm experience for visitors. If you’re planning to take part, check the dates in advance. For the Lamb Safari, you meet at the noticeboard outside the café and then walk together from the meeting point to the sheep barn. While the guided format is central to “Taste the Farm”, the Lamb Safari specifies a meeting point and a walk together.

The annual cow release at Rugstorps Lantgård is also part of a long-standing tradition. An SVT report dated 25 April 2026 and updated on 29 April described a tradition that had attracted thousands of visitors for more than ten years. The farm experiences therefore differ: the Lamb Safari describes the specific itinerary, while the cow release is characterised by a visitor tradition that has grown over the years.

Bathing Spot at Lake Stensjön

Near Rugstorp, a small bathing spot is located along the northeastern shore of Lake Stensjön. It has a jetty, a barbecue area and a changing hut; toilets are available during weeks 25 to 37. The bathing spot offers a different focus from the cultural sites: here, the emphasis is on the water and the listed facilities by the lake.

Discover more destinations: Gullabo, Runnö.

Return to the main travel overview: Kalmar.